Description

Definition
This is the ability to speak a divinely anointed message relevant to the current situation in a language the speaker has never learned. The language is unknown to the speaker and someone who hears it may or may not understand it either. This is different from praying in tongues, which all believers should practice for personal benefit.
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [languages] as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? . . . we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’” (Acts 2:4-11). After this initial incident on the day of Pentecost, believers recognized speaking in tongues as a spiritual gift God gave the church. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given . . . the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues [languages]” (1 Cor. 12:7-8, 10).
The apostle Paul explains that tongues originates with the person’s spirit. “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified” (1 Cor. 14:14-17). “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for nonbelievers” (1 Cor. 14:22).
From these scriptures, we see that it is the Holy Spirit who initially empowers one to speak in unknown languages. The unknown language may be either human or angelic (see 1 Cor. 13:1). Whatever type of language it is, the Holy Spirit gives the ability for the benefit of everyone involved. Your own spirit can enable you to pray and even sing in unknown languages (unknown to your mind), though your mind does not contribute to the experience.
Your ability to speak in tongues can be effective at several levels. According to Scripture, it is a sign to nonbelievers that a supernatural power is at work. It also affirms to the believers present that God is working among them, which is always reassuring. And if followed by an interpretation, it delivers a divinely originated message to all who hear it. A message in tongues and its interpretation are equivalent to a prophecy but may have a different impact.
When you exercise this ability, you may be more keenly aware of God’s involvement than others are when they use their aptitudes. You are likely to speak in tongues in public as a form of praise and worship or when you sense God wants to speak to those around you. You may have a heightened sensitivity to God’s desire to speak or minister in a given situation. Foreign languages or different forms of communication may intrigue you, but one thing is certain: you receive great enjoyment from speaking unknown languages.
You can only speak in an unknown language intuitively, relying on your spirit rather than your mind. You rely strongly on impressions, hunches, and feelings because these indicate when and how you should speak. Speaking in tongues is a very intuitive exercise.
Because you are intuitive, feelings and emotions are important to you. You may rely on your emotions to tell you when to speak, and speaking in tongues might give you a great emotional release, though this is not true of everyone with this gift.
While it is likely you pray in unknown languages in private very frequently or for extended periods, you can probably sense the difference when motivated to speak in public. You know intuitively that God has something important to say and you may even have a general sense about what it is, yet not have the interpretation. The more you rely on the Holy Spirit, the more sensitive you will be to what God is doing and the greater your own spiritual intensity will be.
You are generally aware of the power of speech and use it to influence people and situations. You are likely to speak intuitively, relying on your feelings for guidance on what to say rather than rational conclusions.

Typical Characteristics
● Frequently aware of God’s desire to speak or minister to believers.
● Praying in a spiritual language in public is very fulfilling.
● Aware of the power of speaking God’s words even if you do not know the language.

Tendencies
Priorities: spiritual. What you say in tongues originates in the spiritual realm, so spiritual awareness and sensitivity are very important to you.

Misunderstandings
Due to your emotional nature, others might consider your message in tongues as little more than an emotional outburst.

Vocations and Roles
You use language intuitively, known or unknown languages as appropriate, to encourage and correct as needed.

Perversions

Self-Centeredness
(Perverts your aptitude by focusing it on you, emphasizing the pleasure or fulfillment it gives you.)
Self-centeredness makes you want to impress others with your spiritual sensitivity and ability to speak the word of the Lord. Because you are very intuitive and speaking in tongues provides such an emotional release for you, a strong emotional response to a spiritual event such as a church service may prompt you to burst out in “tongues.” This releases your emotions and gives you personal fulfillment, yet what you say might not be from God.

Extremes
(Perverts by exaggerating, taking your characteristics and tendencies to extremes.)
In the extreme, you may begin to think that every intuitive feeling is a sign God wants you to speak in tongues. If you think you know what God is saying and no one interprets, you may feel compelled to give an interpretation. However, an interpretation is usually confirmation of your message and your intuitive feeling may not be from God in first place. Or you may not know exactly what God wanted to say, so your interpretation would be in error and not anointed.

Control
(Self-centeredness makes you want to be in control, and you struggle for control in a way that is unique to your character.)
When faced with a disturbing situation, you may sense disturbance in your own spirit and interpret that as from God. You might then speak in tongues and provide an interpretation as leverage, assuming no one would question a “word from God,” although it originated with you.

Redemption

Putting on Important Traits
Certain godly character traits are especially important to you. Consciously developing the following traits will help you deliver a divinely anointed message in a language you do not know.

● Humility (Considers self relatively unimportant compared to others; prevents using abilities for one’s own satisfaction.) Humility will help you avoid unrestrained emotionalism because it might detract from God’s intent and prevent you from using your gift to impress others.
● Agape (Considers others’ welfare, needs, interests, and desires more important than your own; motivates you to act for others’ benefit regardless of personal impact.) Agape motivates you to speak so others may benefit by hearing a word from God.
● Faith or faithfulness (Firm conviction regarding something for which there is no proof; action based on such conviction.) Faith may be your strongest trait, giving you confidence that what you say is from God.
● Self-control (Restraint; temperance; moderation in thought, action, or feeling.) This tempers your actions and attitudes, and prevents sensationalism.

Repentance, Renewing Your Mind
(The changes you need to make in the way you think, including your attitudes, standards, priorities, and perspective.)
You must view your role as delivering a divinely anointed message, which makes speaking that message in tongues a service to God. Your message serves nonbelievers by providing a demonstration of God’s power and believers by assuring them God is working among them.

Denying and Humbling Yourself
(Rejecting your own desires and self-interests. Refusing to be motivated by desire for recognition or credit for the results.)
Though you are very feelings-oriented, you should refrain from emotional outbursts when delivering a message in tongues. Venting your feelings when you deliver a message may interfere with God’s intent. Not every thought that pops into your mind is from God, so denying yourself may involve not saying anything until God confirms He has a message to share.
Taking up Your Cross
(Accepting that which has potential for great harm, threatens to break you down, or reveals your inadequacies.)
Speaking in tongues is a sign to the nonbeliever, but the greater good occurs when there is an interpretation and everyone can understand the message. At times, you may deliver a message in tongues among believers but no one interprets it. In those instances you must accept the possibility that you spoke on your own.

Following Jesus
(How you uniquely imitate Jesus by doing what He would in your situation.)
Jesus said He did not speak on His own, but spoke only the Father’s words. This is to be your model for speaking in tongues.

Becoming Like a Child
(Accepting what God gives you, believing what He tells you, trusting Him to take care of you, and simply doing what He says.)
You must rely on God to tell you when to speak and when to stop, and then simply do what He says.